HELOISE: Colorful label tip makes trip a success

Dear Heloise: Several years ago, my wife was teaching at a school where she had several high-school students attend a national convention. There would be a lot of inexperienced travelers at the baggage carousel, and a lot of confusion. Some of the students had not experienced travel by air.

I suggested that the group stick brightly colored file-folder labels on all sides of each piece of their baggage — all using the same color(s) of labels. The labels are available in several colors, and are inexpensive at the office-supply store. Some labels are removable, and one package will label several pieces of baggage. If there is concern about someone else using the same color, use two or more colors in a pattern on each side of the luggage.

Count the bags as they are checked and retrieved, and do not expect anyone else to save your bag for you. One or two members of the group can take the baggage from the carousel. Just remember to count all pieces with the same color.

Al from New Mexico

Al, fantastic travel hints, even for us seasoned travelers or folks going on vacation only once a year. Those black rolling bags sure can look alike, and there are a lot of them!

Heloise

P.S.: Any other travel hints to share? Send them in, and we will print as many as possible.

Dear Heloise: My husband and I regularly repaint the rooms in our house, and there always is some paint left over in the cans. Rather than store the whole can, taking up so much space, we pour the remaining paint into clear glass jars (from pickles, applesauce, etc.). Not only is it space-saving, but you can immediately see the color you want (for touch-ups). I also label each jar, e.g., “living room, satin finish.”

Jean Milici Torrington, Conn.

Dear Heloise: I read your column every day, and I’ve used many of your hints. I sew a washcloth on the corner of a beach towel to make a “pocket” to hold keys, etc. Great for kids going to the pool.

Dorothy in Wisconsin

Yes, a very helpful hint! You can attach some self-gripping tape or a big safety pin to close the pocket so nothing goes AWOL!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: In my bathroom, there were blow-dryers, curling irons, brushes, combs, makeup sponges, bath loofahs, etc., and most were just stuffed under the sink or just lying around in the way.

I went to the store and bought one of those clear plastic shoe holders that can be hung on either side of the door. The one I bought could hold 10 pairs of shoes, but instead it holds all those above-mentioned items. It’s great not to have all those twisted cords, and things are always at eye level and easy to get to. Try it; it’s great.

Doris in California

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate